Congratulations LAFF on 20 Years of Showcasing Indie Film

The Los Angeles Film Festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, staring on June 11 with screenings of over 200 films programmed to entertain. Produced by Film Independent, the fest revels in showcasing independent and international cinema – from narrative films of all genres, to short films and international fare. This year, sections of the LAFF showcase upcoming independent movies releasing this summer as well as community screenings for the public and a look at daring, unique storytelling by some of today’s emerging filmmakers.

Snowpiercer opens the festival, making it the English-language debut of writer-director Boon Jo-Hong. This sci-fi fantasy stars Chris Evans and Tilda Swinton who live in a world covered in ice after an attempt to stop global warming fails. Survivors live on a supertrain circling what’s left of Earth. Inside, the poorest live in pathetic conditions, while the rich live in luxury, until one of the oppressed decides to change the state of affairs.

Based on the graphic novel "Le Transperceneige,” cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo chose KODAK VISION3 250D Color Negative Film 5207 and 500T 5219 to tell the story of this intense, post-apocalyptic uprising.

Also screening at LAFF is DP Ben Richardson’s Cut Bank. Richardson and director Matt Shakman – a television veteran making his first feature film – paint a portrait of yearning and karma, interwoven in the people’s lives of the small town of Cut Bank, Montana. Relying on 2-perf KODAK 35mm, the film creates an intimate look at personal lives and one man’s choices.

Other movies originated on Kodak film at LAFF include Supremacy, shot on KODAK 16mm by Rodney Taylor, ASC for director Deon Taylor. Supremacy stars Danny Glover in a drama that delves into race, familial bonds, and where to draw the line.

So as the flurry of filmmakers and fans descend on downtown Los Angeles, we salute the creatives behind the imaginings on screen, and look forward to being entertained, fascinated, and charmed.